Thatscricket - ODI Series - India~~s tour of Pakistan- ~~I foresee a tough series between Indo-Pak~~

Lahore:Former cricket great Wasim Akram told his fellow Pakistani players to enjoy and excel in the upcoming "pressure" series against India during a motivational talk.

"Playing against India means pressure and I have told the players to enjoy the pressure and try to excel in it by striving for a victory," Wasim said after his visit to Pakistan's tune up camp for the Indian series.

India land in the city on March 10 to play five One-day games and three Tests until April 17, their first tour of Pakistan since 1989-90.

The 37-year-old Wasim, regarded as the greatest left-arm pacer with a world record of 502 One-day and 414 Test wickets, stayed for three hours and delivered a special lecture to players on how to handle the pressure of playing against India.

He gave useful tips to fast bowlers Shaoib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami - on whom Pakistan will heavily rely to outpoint India.

"Pakistan's young crop of players is maturing very fast and they will give a tough fight to the Indian team. I foresee a tough series between the two countries," said Wasim, who led Pakistan to their last tour of India in 1998-99.

"I tried to pass the ways to develop mental toughness which I was told by my seniors Imran Khan and Javed Miandad in my younger days," said Wasim, who retired from international cricket in May last year.

Former captain and Wasim's mentor Khan also visited the camp on Sunday.

"India has quality batsmen but their bowling is inexperienced," said Wasim, who recently commentated during India's tour of Australia.

India announced their 15-man squad for the One-day series on Monday while Pakistan will announce their team for the first two matches on Friday.

The first One-day is scheduled for Karachi on March 13.

The remaining Limited Overs Internationals will be played in Rawalpindi (March 16, day-night), Peshawar (March 19) and Lahore (March 21 and 23, both day-night).

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq and coach Javed Miandad requested pep talks by Khan and Wasim ahead of their series against India.